We have 3 years and 9.5 months remaining until President Obama is reelected.

[Skidmore]

Let's not allow the media and the Rs to trap the entire work of this administration into an arbitrary 100 day time period. There is a lot of time remaining.

[lostnotforgotten]

1. Stated Differently - Obama Has 3 Years and 9.5 Months To Redeem His Administration

Don't even ask one to recite the list of missteps in the first 100 days.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Agreed - But He's Lucky In That The Competition Is Insane

If they dig up some fresh-faced Hitler Youth to run against the Democrats, he may have an issue.

As far as I can see, the middle class and the Constitution have big problems no mater what.

[lostnotforgotten]

5. Agreed, And That Is One Of The Biggest Criticisms Of Obama, He Has Yet To Be A Middle Class Advocate

Bailing out the banks and financiers is not a compelling story of advocacy.

[MannyGoldstein]

14. You Can Lead A Horse To Water, But You Can't Make Him Drink. Unless

you apply powerful suction to his ass.

[Zynx]

29. I am not the biggest fan of how the rescues have been conducted, but I'm curious

if you think that letting banks fail is an acceptable alternative. Getting the financial system functioning again is an essential ingredient to making the economy grow.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MannyGoldstein]

15. So It's Obama Or Newtie?

Any possibility that someone who defends the middle class might run?

[Skidmore]

18. Any suggestions?

I sure would like to hear how you think the the Obama administration is trashing the middle class. I don't see that happening. I see him working to drag the nation out of the *-made cesspool we are in. Won't happen overnight and there is so much to do.

[MannyGoldstein]

19. One Year Of Your Salary Has Been Handed To The Bankers

Under a variety of "heads you win, tails we lose" schemes. He's changed his position on renegotiating NAFTA, and I haven't heard anything about reversing the job-obliterating Clinton/Rubin/Summers "almost-free trade with China" act.

That's pretty bad stuff.

[TheWraith]

4. I feel pity for you. nt

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MannyGoldstein]

16. Can You Name The Great Things He's Done? Help Me Out Here.

Things that don't count include the $12 trillion+ Paulson/Summers/Geithner Banker Bailout, desire to continue warrantless wiretapping, and giving war crimes a pass.

Simply comparing favorably to the worst president in history does not make one a good president.

[Skidmore]

22. I would think that the law governing warrantless wiretapping needs to be

changed in Congress first before the President can sign it. Hence, I'll pressure Congress first for change. Until then, some of this lifting must be done in the courts as well since there have been precedents established too.

I think one of the most salient characteristics of this administration is all parts of the government be required to do their jobs. A unitary executive is what we just lived through. Accountability is to be expected elsewhere as well.

[MannyGoldstein]

26. Obama's Asking To Wiretap Without Judicial Oversight

That's truly awful.

[Baltoman991]

23. You wouldn't

know of the things he's done because your daily agenda here is to post as many negative articles as you can find about Obama.

I won't do your homework for you. You have no problem finding the negatives, try searching for the positives for a change.

[MannyGoldstein]

24. Exactly The Answer I'd Expect If You Don't Have An Answer

But surprise us - show us that you do have an answer.

[Baltoman991]

30. I guess

I should be the one to expect that you wouldn't bother to look for yourself.

Let's see. Lifted the ban on stem-cell research.
Announced the closing of Gitmo
Made it so that women would be treated and paid as equals in the workplace
Allowed 4 million more children to become insured.

The list is long. I'm sure none of that would be seen as great to you though seeing as how it doesn't fit into your agenda.

[MannyGoldstein]

31. These Are Pretty Minimal

They are very good things indeed, but even *Republicans* were strongly in favor of at least three of those four. If McCain were in office, at least three of those would have happened.

[Baltoman991]

32. Yeah,

Republicans were so strongly in favor of them that they hurried up to vote to over-ride the Bush vetos right?

Again, not surprised that you find 4 million more children having insurance as something minimal.
Or that people with illnesses now have hope once again.

It's much easier to downplay than it is to say job well done for some.

[polmaven]

34. Actually, that the poster

would find ANY of them "minimal", is astonishing.

Women being assured of equal pay? - Bah! who needs that? So what if the wimmins get paid fewer bucks?
4 million more children getting health care? Medical research to help cure debilitating and deadly illnesses? Who cares? Pulling troops from Iraq and closing GITMO? Nah! Not good enough....


I honestly think there are some here who just cannot get past the need to complain about the president. Maybe a Little e more time. ...'Course, many of the same people have Clinton Derangement Syndrome as well, so maybe time really isn't the answer.

[MannyGoldstein]

35. 3 of 4 Wouldn't Have Passed Under McCain?

IIRC, there were already congressional majorities under Bush on stem cells and SCHP. Republicans were widely in favor of closing Gitmo, and McCain said he would do it.

Equal pay for women is a great thing - but 's he only thing on your list that wasn't virtually fait accompli for any successor to Bush.

[polmaven]

36. They may have passed the Congress,

but it is not likely McCain's veto would have been overridden. As far as I can see, GITMO may be the ONLY thing that MAY have been done.

[MannyGoldstein]

38. McCain Was Clearly In Favor Of Stem Cell Research

He was actually against SCHIP (I just checked), but the previous vote was already so close that a veto would have almost certainly been overridden with today's larger Democratic majority. In fact, more than two-thirds each of the Senate and House did vote for SCHIP this time, and thus a veto would not have held.

[polmaven]

42. I doubt very much

if he was in favor of embryonic stem cell research. The right always argues that stem cells can be taken from other sources, and that embryonic research will mean "killing more unborn children".

[MannyGoldstein]

43. He's On Record - Google It n/t

[polmaven]

46. "Qualified" support.

Senator McCain's response was more qualified and seemingly reflected some consideration of meetings he has had recently with leading opponents of embryonic stem cell research. At the recent Catholic Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Jack Willke, former head of National Right to Life, revealed he has had two very recent meetings with McCain during which he presented much information on the subject to the Republican presidential candidate.


In his shorter response, McCain expressed his belief that embryonic stem cell research should receive federal funding. At the same time, he said, efforts should be made to ensure that such research does not violate "ethical principles."

"While I support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, I believe clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress," said McCain.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08091905.html - 33k

Sort of...Oh, well....if we can do embryonic stem cell research without going against the people who most oppose it, well then OK!

Keep in mind that some federal funding had already been allowed for the "existing lines". Of course those disappeared a long time ago.

[mvd]

47. True, his language had changed on the issue

And where Obama is concerned, while I have doubts on the bank rescue plan, the education plan, whether the Bush cabal will be brought to justice, on what the health plan will look like, on how Afghanistan will go - if the Repukes would have accomplished most of his accomplishments, why are they so against his agenda?

[polmaven]

48. I'm not quite sure

what you mean by your question regarding the Repukes accomplishing most of his agenda, and yet opposing his agenda.

The (R)s most certainly would NOT have accomplished anything near what President Obama has accomplished.

If you mean the 4 accomplishments listed, they would have passed this House and Senate with Democratic Majorities. McCain vetoes would have needed Republican support, and that would not have happened.

[mvd]

49. Your second sentence explains what I meant

"The (R)s most certainly would NOT have accomplished anything near what President Obama has accomplished." Right on!

[polmaven]

51. Then we are in complete agreement!

:hi:

[Baltoman991]

40. You ignore

the FACT that those gung-ho, fully supportive Republicans folded like tents when Bush Vetoed those bills.

Why? Because they really weren't for them. Don't tell me it was party loyalty. They had the luxury of playing politics and voting yea for the bills to say "see, we care" only to show their true colors when the veto pen came out.

And McCain? He hates torture so much that he voted AGAINST the bill that would have made waterboarding illegal.

You can try all you want, but I pay attention and I know the games that Republicans were playing. `

[MannyGoldstein]

44. McCain Flip-Flopping Is A Reasonable Point n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

33. I think 66% of the country would disagree with you

[saltpoint]

7. Even the oft-sluggish 'public' approves of the change between President Obama

and his predecessor.

We zoom-zoom liberals can't be blamed for a premonition of his re-election, and I like your idea that the media and Rs should not be permitted to shape the debate.

The tea-bagging folks and the Hannity and Beck and Limbaugh folks have screamed real loud against Obama so far. But very few are buying it.

This new guy is popular, justifiably so, and IMO is headed for re-election.

Among many other good things, I like the notion of 8 years of Obama judicial appointees.

[lostnotforgotten]

8. Agreed - Obama Judicial Appointees Would Probably Be An Improvement

eom

[saltpoint]

9. The SCOTUS and other-level appointments will likely change the

tone and substance of the judiciary.

The Far Right has yelped and blown its stack (and its integrity) trying to brand "activist judges." I think we will be far better off after 8 years of Obama appointments.

[lostnotforgotten]

10. Yes, The Legacy Of Judicial Appointments Is Probably The Only Legacy That Really Matters

eom

[saltpoint]

11. I cite it as one that matters. Among the others there is much to

like as well.

[lostnotforgotten]

12. Don't Misunderstand - Obama Is An Improvement, From A Progressive Viewpoint There Is Room For Growth

eom

[saltpoint]

17. In U.S. History the number of "progressive" presidents is c. zero.

There have been a good number of sturdy, people-directed, citizen-enhancing initiatives such as the Great Society and the New Deal, and certainly civil rights legislation. The good things deserve to be grocery-listed and appreciated.

But the Left in the United States is marginal. I lament the marginality but acknowledge that there is no base from which to build an assertive, 50-state organization. At least at the moment.

Indiana, for example, can't even elect a Democrat left of Evan Bayh for god's sake. They tried it once with Evan's dad Birch and voters threw his ass out of office and replaced him with Dan Quayle.

[lostnotforgotten]

20. Don't Disagree With The Analysis - Does Not Change The Perspective Though

eom

[saltpoint]

25. I don't hold that perspective to begin with and find much to like in the

Obama administration to date, with significant reason to remain loyal to it in future undertakings.

I cited the judiciary as one such.

[MannyGoldstein]

21. Top Tax Rate Under Eisenhower Was 91%

Not bad.

[saltpoint]

27. Hi, Manny. The problem I have with Eisenhower is not the

address he made regarding the military-industrial complex, which was stunningly refreshing and resonately true.

We were swimming in good waters then, still quite flush from victory in WW (if "victory" is ever the right word regarding any war), and our national economic landscape was strikingly different than it is now.

The Beats were an expression of the cultural Left prior to Eisenhower and the social turbulence that followed 8 years of his administration (and the assassination of King and the Kennedys) split the country into camps. "The Left" knew of Eisenhower's "Humanity on a Cross of Iron" address but by the time they could rescue it and recommend it to the attention of the nation, 16-year olds were hitchhiking to California to live in communes.

Eisenhower made pragmatic sense but was not listened to. The "I Like Ike" buttons were one thing; Lt. Calley was another." If Eisenhower was a far better Republican than his vice president, he was nowhere near the communicator that King was, or either of the Kennedys.

Forced to choose among History's Republicans, I'd certainly give Eisenhower credit where it is justly due. But he becomes problematic with the selection of Nixon and the public is STILL not listening to the "Humanity on a Cross of Iron" address.

It would do us all good to pay more attention, and I endorse your acknowledgement of an underrated man. But the economic and cultural landscapes were much different between the generations following the Allied victory in Japan and Europe and right now.

[MannyGoldstein]

37. The Point That I Was Trying To Make Was That Today's Progressive

Would have been far to the right of the Republican mainstream 50 years ago. Could you imagine even Kucinich pushing a 91% tax bracket today? Yet Eisenhower, and his Republican-majority Congress demanded it!

[saltpoint]

41. I agree. I missed the target of your post, the fault is mine.

I'm sorry.

Yes. The ideological center of political parties shifts. JFK is a Democratic icon but his foreign policy would not sit that well with globalist/leftists of today. It wasn't even unanimously endorsed in its time.

The coming realignment in the GOP is going to be entertaining -- and difficult -- to watch. FOX News will have to re-gear for the new era. Newt Gingrich, even as we speak, believes he is the face of his party's salvation (ignoring the truth that he is one of the architects of its demise).

The fundies realize that they are not going to get any farther with their "activist judge" horseshit. Falwell has passed on. Dobson has stepped down. Perkins is shrieking louder than ever but to increasingly smaller audiences.

If the Republicans let Romney/Palin/Gingrich/Huckabee/et al at the control panel, they'll continue their downward spiral. Which is ok with me, so long as they continue to insist that "government" is bad.

They were supposed to win the NY 20th Cong. district race. They didn't.

[saltpoint]

13. Happy to recommend this.

For many good reasons, not the least of which it slaps people like Brit Hume in the face.

[NYC Liberal]

28. A few "Ignored"s here I see. No surprise. Anyway, I completely agree

This "100 Day" stuff is bullshit. The MSM is making it out to be the make or break test of his entire presidency.

Because Bush's first 100 days totally set the tone for the worst presidency in history? Yeah right. That happened after 9/11.

[azmouse]

39. I look forward to voting for him again.

Maybe in my old age I'll have the chance to vote for Malia or Sasha.

[BlooInBloo]

45. Over the objections of DUers, but yup.

[DFW]

50. I give Fox Noise about a week before they label Obama a lame duck.